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Friday, August 11, 2017

Effective Immediately: Grizzly Peak Trail System Closed to Protect Public Health and Safety

With increased fire
activity on Grizzly Peak near Ashland, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Medford District jointly with the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest
Oregon District have decided that a temporary closure of the Grizzly Peak Trail
system is necessary in order to protect public health and safety. The closure
is effective immediately and will be in place until the area is deemed safe for
public access.

Currently, firefighters
are still engaged on Grizzly Peak; however, only three of the five fires initially
reported are still actively burning. The first two fires were knocked down and 100%
contained by early afternoon. Both are less than an acre in size. Firefighters
are engaged on the final three fires tonight. The fires range from ¼ acre to 2
acres, and are each at least 30% mopped up and 100% lined. We will continue to
work on these fires swiftly and efficiently in order to eliminate any further
risk to public and firefighter safety.

Closure signs will be
placed at main entry points to the area; however, maps of the closure area can
be obtained through the BLM Medford District Office. The Grizzly Peak Trail is
on federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management out of its
Medford District office. It is a popular hiking area that attracts several
visitors during the summer months. Therefore, we hope this precaution keeps
both visitors and firefighters safe as they continue to make progress on the
series of fires on Grizzly Peak.

The full Emergency
Closure Notification is below. For additional information, please reach out to
the BLM Medford District office at (541) 618-2200, or the Oregon Department
Southwest Oregon District Medford Unit at (541 664-3328.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU
OF LAND MANAGEMENT

MEDFORD
DISTRICT

3040
Biddle Rd.

Medford
OR 97504

EMERGENCY CLOSURE OFPUBLICLANDS: Jackson County,
Oregon

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Medford District Office, Oregon

ACTION: Temporary closure of public land in Jackson County, Oregon.

SUMMARY: The
Medford District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is giving notice that we are
temporarily closing the Grizzly Peak Trails beginning on August 11, 2017. These
restrictions are to protect public health and safety (43 CFR 9268.3(d)(1).

PENALTIES: Authorities for
this closure are section 303(a)oftheFederalLandPolicyand ManagementActof1976(43U.S.C.I733(a))and43CFR8360.0-7. Any person who knowingly and willfully violates any closure order
issued under § 9268.3(c)(2) of this title shall be fined not more than $1,000
or imprisoned for not more than 12 months, or both.Such violations may also be subject
to the enhanced penalties asprovidedforby18U.S.C.3571.